Verena Hawkins Somer '76

I am reminded daily of the education and life skills I learned at MacMurray College. I have an appreciation of art and the humanities; I am able to speak in front of large audiences, prepare presentations, and compose a sentence. These are skills acquired at MacMurray and continue to be polished throughout my career as a service professional.

Verena graduated from MacMurray College in 1976. She was encouraged by her high school English teacher, Judie Wilkinson Steinhauser, a 1968 MacMurray graduate, to head to Jacksonville to pursue her bachelor's degree. Verena was active in theatre while attending MacMurray and fondly remembers the late night soccer games on Rutledge Lawn.

As principle consultant of The Service Advisors, she is a leading designer and proponent of the "Culture of Service" movement. She has 25 years of experience working with corporate and small business clients and is skilled at customizing "no cost" strategies and tools for promoting business success. She has recently completed a website and book regarding how to use "no cost" customer service strategies. Prior to The Service Advisors, Verena was director of service for Kaiser Permanente in Metropolitan Los Angeles, responsible for the Los Angeles and West Los Angeles service area.

Verena is very active in her community. She has been recognized for her leadership and contributions by the City of Arcadia, California and the Arcadia Chamber of Commerce. She is also a member of the Association of University Women. Additionally, Verena serves on the MacMurray College Alumni Board and participates on the homecoming committee.